Apparatus for reinforcing structures

ABSTRACT

This is a reinforcing apparatus that can be prefabricated for easy installation at the construction site. The reinforcing members must be properly spaced and supported for reinforcing the structure into which it shall be incorporated. Various spacing members are described for the apparatus. One embodiment folds into a collapsed structure prior to shipping and unfolds on the construction site. Another has a structure where the reinforcing members are snapped onto spacing members at the construction site, making for a quick assembly. Yet another has a structure in which the reinforcing members are clipped into place on the spacing member prior to use. The apparatus, once assembled or unfolded, can be self-supporting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Construction projects often require reinforcing elements forstructural supports. By way of example, most pillars, pylons or columnsare made by first excavating a site to a sufficient depth, then pouringconcrete into moulds which form the shape of the structure, usually abase and column to form a pillar, pylon, or column. Generally,reinforcing elements are placed into their moulds prior to or during thepouring of the structural material, for example concrete, so as to givethat material increased tensile and shear strength.

[0002] A well-known example of reinforcing elements used in theconstruction industry is a steel reinforcing bar known as a rebar.Rebars are generally steel rods, and are ribbed to provide an increasedand irregular surface area of the reinforcing element for contacting thestructural material, usually concrete. The structural material envelopsthe rebar, flowing between the ribbed surfaces. Contractors usuallyplace discrete rebar segments approximately parallel to the ground ofthe excavated site upon which the structure will stand within the mouldfor the base of the structure and axially within the mould to reinforcethe body of the structure itself.

[0003] Any lack of continuity between the discrete segments of thereinforcing elements reduces the structural loading capacity of thecompleted structure since there remains a volume of structural materialthat is not being reinforced. It is often within this volume ofnon-reinforced structural material that fault lines, heaving andcracking of the structural material will develop. If the structuralmaterial is subjected to frost, moisture, and resettling of excavatedearth, then the volume of non-reinforced structural material will beparticularly susceptible to the development of fault lines, heaving, andcracking.

[0004] Even if the reinforcing elements are joined so as to eliminatethis volume of unreinforced structural material, the reinforcingelements may become misaligned, no longer forming a continuousreinforcing structure, unless properly secured before the structuralmaterial is poured. Further, uneven spacing between discrete sites ofreinforcement, either radially or axially, can also reduce thestructural integrity of the finished structure. Even spacing of thereinforcements ensures that the ability of the structure to absorbtensile and shear loading conditions is optimized throughout the length,the cross-section, and the footing of the structure.

[0005] Further, properly immobilizing discrete reinforcing elements is alaborious process requiring particular skills and time, making it anexpensive process step in the construction process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention comprises reinforcing elements and spacing membersto mount the reinforcing elements so as to create an apparatus that canbe folded or disassembled, shipped, and installed on the excavated sitewith minimum labour costs and delays. The apparatus, once installed, isthen placed into the moulds that will receive the poured structuralmaterial, for example concrete. The pouring of the structural materialis achieved in one step, again reducing labour and material costs. Oncethe structural material is poured and cured, the reinforcing elementsreinforce the structural materials against tensile and shear stresses.

[0007] In accordance with the invention, reinforcing elements are joinedat pre-selected points along their length by spacing members to form areinforcement apparatus. Each spacing member holds the reinforcingelements at a fixed interval from one another at several points. Thereinforcement apparatus includes at least two spacing members, near eachend of the length of the reinforcement apparatus. Longer lengths mayinclude more spacing members to increase the structural integrity of thereinforcing structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The reinforcing elements are preferably shaped into threesegments. The first segment extends along the length of thereinforcement apparatus, and serves to reinforce the length of thestructure into which it will be incorporated. The second segment isoriented away from the length of the reinforcement apparatus andreinforces the base of the structure. The third segment is oriented awayfrom the other segments, creating a foot, so as to keep the secondsegment from laying directly on the excavated site. The raising of thereinforcing elements of the reinforcement apparatus by means of theorientation of the third segments of the reinforcing elements allows thestructural material to flow around and under the reinforcing elements.In this way, the foot of the reinforcement apparatus ensures that thereinforcement apparatus will be almost completely enveloped by thestructural material during pouring, ensuring that the structure, oncecompleted, will have greater resistance to tensile and shear loadingconditions.

[0009] The reinforcing elements are joined together by two or morespacing members which provide proper support and orientation of thereinforcing elements of the reinforcing apparatus. Use of the spacingmembers does not require having skilled workmen perform an intricatealignment of the reinforcing elements. Moreover, the spacing membersprovide structural support to the reinforcing elements by keeping themimmobilized prior to, during and after the pouring of the structuralmaterials. The spacing members are usually mounted near the bottom andtop of the structure to be reinforced so as to keep the ends of thereinforcing elements properly aligned; however, spacing mechanisms mayalso be placed at any points of stress along the length of thereinforcing elements. For example, a third spacing member can be placedat a point that is approximately equidistant from the spacing members atthe ends of the reinforcing elements.

[0010] There are various embodiments of the spacing members that can beused to achieve the proper spacing of the reinforcing elements. Further,the spacing members are typically configured to fold or collapse forease of shipping prior to assembly for use. In one embodiment, a spacingmember comprising a folding spacer can fold and unfold so that thereinforcing elements are arranged in a compact volume for ease ofpacking and shipping the reinforcement apparatus to the constructionsite. In another embodiment, the spacing member comprises ofinterlocking fittings mounted on the reinforcing elements and on aretaining member. The interlocking fittings mounted to the reinforcingelements can be snapped and unsnapped into place on the correspondinginterlocking fittings mounted to the retaining members, so as to createa reinforcement apparatus that can be disassembled for shipment andreassembled for use. In yet another embodiment of the spacing member,the reinforcing elements can be held in place when clipped to a clippingspacer. Alternatively, the spacing members can rigidly interconnect thereinforcing elements on a customized spacer shape so that there is nofolding or dismantling of the apparatus structure once assembled. Arigidly interconnected spacing member would be used for uniqueapplications.

[0011] For example, in the construction industry, rebars are used toreinforce concrete. As an embodiment of this invention, standard rebarsare forged and bent to create a second segment extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the first segment of the rebars. The ends of thesecond segments are again bent away from the first segments of therebars to create a third segment. When a plurality of rebars is arrangedsuch that the first segments are arranged in a generally parallelrelation, and the second segments all extend generally outwardly orradially outwardly, then the third segments form a small feet at thebottom end of each of the second segments.

[0012] The rebars are oriented so that the second segments with thesmall feet extend radially outward away from one another when viewedfrom above. The rebars are then mounted to at least two spacing members,so as to ensure that they will be properly aligned when placed within astructural mould upon the excavated site. The rebars have an axiallength throughout the structural moulds, bend substantiallyperpendicularly within the footing mould, and rest upon the small feet.The role of the small feet is to ensure that virtually the entire lengthof the rebar will be well enveloped by the concrete during pouring byallowing the concrete to flow underneath virtually the entire rebarapparatus. In this way, the structural support available from the rebarapparatus is maximized, from the excavated ground on which the footportion rests, through the footing base and up through the length of thestructure using a continuous reinforcement apparatus.

[0013] One preferred embodiment of the spacing member is the foldingspacer. The folding spacer comprises a first member building two smallermembers with channel arms mounted to it using a linking member with alocking mechanism, such as a clevis pin or shoulder bolt springassembly. In the closed or folded position, the locking mechanism on thelinking member is not triggered. As the channel arms swing open to theirfully opened positions, the smaller member to which it is attached andthe channel of the channel arm align. This alignment triggers the springmechanism on the linking member to actuate and lock the channel arm inthe proper position. The first member and all of the channel arms areeach mounted to one reinforcing element, for example one rebar. Foldingbars may also be mounted to a reinforcing element and added to thechannel arm, smaller member and linking member assembly. The foldingbars should be shaped in such a manner that when the assembly ofreinforcing elements is closed, the folding spacer is neatly alignedwith the reinforcing elements staggered next to one another. Whenopened, the assembly of reinforcing elements should have evenly spacedreinforcing elements that can be adjusted or locked into properposition. Each folding bar has a rear arm stop block that aligns itselfwith the channel arm during the unfolding of the reinforcing elements.

[0014] For example, if mounting four rebars, one folding bar would beadded to the folding spacer as described at one clevis pin assembly, andwould unfold just like the channel arm that shares its clevis pinassembly. If an application required a fifth rebar for the rebarapparatus, an additional folding bar would be added either to the otherchannel arm, smaller member and clevis pin assembly or the same onewhere the first one was added. However, the geometry of the foldingspacer preferably ensures that the rebars are evenly distributed overthe cross sectional area into which the concrete is to be poured.

[0015] Another preferred embodiment of the spacing member is thesnapping spacer. The snapping spacer preferably comprises a retainingmember onto which female fittings are attached. The reinforcing elementshave fixed to them a male guide. The male guide is a fitting that is tobe slidingly inserted into the larger female fitting attached to theretaining member. The number of female fittings on the retaining memberis based upon the number of reinforcing elements to be used for theapplication. The male guide is fixed along a length of the reinforcingelement well above the footing base, facing oppositely to the radialreinforcement component of the reinforcing element. There are at leasttwo male guides fixed on each reinforcing element so as to accommodateat least two spacers at opposite ends of the reinforcing element. Themale guide slides into a female fitting and is held in place by alinking piece. Once all of the reinforcing elements are attached to thespacer, the reinforcing apparatus may be used.

[0016] A further preferred embodiment of the spacing member is theclipping spacer. The clipping spacer comprises a retaining member ontowhich clipping means are mounted. The retaining member may be in anyshape, so long as it minimally impedes the flow of the structuralmaterial upon pouring. Reinforcing elements are mounted onto the clipsthat have sufficient elasticity to open and close in a spring likefashion around them, thus holding the reinforcing elements in anappropriate configuration for reinforcing the poured structuralmaterial.

[0017] Another embodiment of the spacing member is the spacer withpermanently mounted reinforcing elements. The spacer with permanentlymounted reinforcing elements would comprise reinforcing elements fixedto at least one, but preferably two or more retaining members. Theretaining members can have virtually any shape, so long as theyminimally impede the flow of the structural material when pouringbegins. For example, circular retaining members of varying diameter arepreferable to a central cross bar mechanism if the area occupied by thecentral cross bar mechanism will impede concrete flow more than the areaoccupied by the circular retaining member.

[0018] A guiding means, for example spring clips, may be mounted to thereinforcing elements so as to orient them within the mould for thepouring of the structural material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of areinforcement apparatus within a sectioned pillar mould.

[0020]FIG. 2 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a reinforcingapparatus of the present invention showing relative locations of thespacing members along the length of an embodiment of the reinforcingapparatus.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a reinforcing element with aconfiguration of bends made along its length.

[0022]FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing two folding spacingmembers assembled to three reinforcing elements in their folded andunfolded positions respectively.

[0023]FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views showing a folding spacingmember of FIGS. 4A and 4B in an opened and closed position respectively.

[0024]FIG. 5C is a magnified view of the linking means of the spacingmembers shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0025]FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views showing two folding spacingmembers assembled to four reinforcing elements shown in their folded andunfolded positions respectively.

[0026]FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of the folding spacingmember of FIGS. 6A and 6B in the closed and opened positions,respectively.

[0027]FIG. 7C is a magnified view of the linking means of the channelarm, the folding arm, and the smaller member to which they are held.

[0028]FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing two snapping spacing membersassembled to three reinforcing elements held in a snapped configurationviewed from above and in elevation respectively.

[0029]FIGS. 9A and 9B are views showing snapping spacing members ofFIGS. 8A and 8B assembled to three reinforcing elements held in anunsnapped configuration viewed in elevation and from above respectively.

[0030]FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing an exploded view in elevationand from above, of an alternate embodiment of a snapping spacing memberassembly when spacing three reinforcing elements.

[0031]FIGS. 11A and 11B are views of the snapping spacing member ofFIGS. 8A and 8B, 9A and 9B, or 10A and 10B showing the retaining memberwith the interlocking fittings mounted, depicted from the top and fromthe side, respectively.

[0032]FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing an elevation view and a topview respectively of an interlocking fitting, depicted in thisembodiment as a male guide, attached to a reinforcing element.

[0033]FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing an elevation view and a topview respectively of the clipping spacing member with four reinforcingelements inserted.

[0034]FIGS. 14A and 14B are views showing a clipping spacing memberviewed in elevation and from above.

[0035]FIGS. 15A and 15B are views showing a reinforcing apparatus withfive reinforcing elements and a clipping spacer viewed in elevation andfrom above respectively, in assembled form.

[0036]FIGS. 16A and 16B are views showing a clipping spacing memberviewed in elevation and from above respectively, in a retaining memberstructure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037]FIG. 1 shows the cross-section of the view of the reinforcingapparatus. A footing mould and a column mould for the pouring of aconcrete pillar are shown with the reinforcing apparatus inside. Element2 is the column mould into which the structural material is to bepoured. Element 4 is the footing mould upon which element 2 sits, andinto which concrete is also poured. Element 5 indicates a reinforcingelement which is held by a folding spacing member indicated by element3.

[0038]FIG. 2 shows a reinforcing apparatus, with two spacing members(3), in this case, one of which is located approximately 15 inches fromthe base of the reinforcing apparatus and the other one which is locatedapproximately 15 inches from the top of the reinforcing apparatus.Depending on the length of the reinforcing apparatus, additionalreinforcement may be added by placing another spacing member at pointsbetween the two spacing members.

[0039]FIG. 3 shows the shaping of a reinforcing element used toreinforce the structure. The reinforcing element is bent at angle Qbetween the first segment H and the second segment W of the reinforcingcomponents. At the end of the second segment W, there is a third segmentP created by bending the tip of the second segment W at angle T awayfrom first segment H. In a preferred embodiment, angle Q is 90 degreesor more, and angle T is approximately in the range of 30 to 60 degrees.This shape of the reinforcing element would be particularly useful inreinforcing a column structure. However, the various segments may bebent along a different shape structure. First segment H can be shaped tofit the structure to be reinforced, while second segment W and thirdsegment P can be shaped to conform with the base of the structure to bebuilt.

[0040] Three Reinforcing Elements and the Folding Structure

[0041] In one embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 4A and 4B, this inventioncomprises three reinforcing elements bent as shown in FIG. 3, inaccordance with the dimensions of the footing mould and the structure tobe built. The three reinforcing elements 5 are mounted to two separatefolding spacing members 45. More spacing members can be added along theaxial portion of the reinforcing elements for further structural supportif required. One reinforcing element 5 is mounted to first member 10 ofthe folding spacer, while the other two reinforcing elements are mountedto channel arms 15. The channel arms 15 are attached to first member 10by linking means 20, which has a spring means 25 and a loading means 30.The loading means 30 keeps tension in the spring means 25 to force asmaller member 12, that is part of the first member that overlaps thechannel arm, into the channel of the channel arm when the reinforcingapparatus is opened as it is shown in FIG. 4B.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the first member 10 of thefolding spacer has two smaller members 12 that are shown in thisembodiment as being approximately 120 degrees apart. The two channelarms 15 are mounted to the smaller members using a linking means 20,either a shoulder bolt or a clevis pin. The linking means has acompressed spring 25 inserted on its length prior to it attaching thechannel arm to the smaller member. The spring is held in place by theloading means 30, shown here as a nut for a shoulder bolt. If a clevispin were used as the linking means, then a roll pin could be used as theloading means.

[0043] When folded, the three reinforcing elements appear adjacent toone another as shown in FIG. 4A. As the apparatus opens, the channelarms 15 align with the smaller member to which they are mounted. Oncealigned, the spring means 25 extends, forcing the smaller members intothe channels of the channel arms 15, locking the reinforcing elements inposition. The reinforcing elements are roughly equidistant to oneanother, in a triangular configuration when fully opened as shown inFIGS. 4B and 5A.

[0044] Four Reinforcing Elements and the Folding Structure

[0045] In another embodiment as shown at FIGS. 6A and 6B, this inventioncomprises four reinforcing elements 5 bent as previously described andshown in FIG. 3, attached to two folding spacers. The folding spacerswork as set out above except for having a folding member 35 and a reararm stop block 40. One reinforcing element 5 is mounted to first member10, two are mounted to channel arms 15, and the last is mounted tofolding member 35. The two channel arms are mounted to the smallermembers 12 of first member 10, which for this application is shaped likea “T”. Folding member 35 is mounted to one of the channel arms 15,through the same linking means assembly described in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A,5B and 5C. Rear arm stop block 40 aligns with the smaller member towhich folding member 35 is mounted when folding member 35 is in theclosed position as shown in FIG. 6A. Rear arm stop block 40 and foldingarm 35 rotate together through 180 degrees to the open position andalign with the small member 12 when opened, as shown in FIG. 6B. Foldingmember 35 has a bend in it so that it aligns neatly with channel arm 15of the small member 12 to which it is attached when closed.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the apparatus opens like the threereinforcing element model, except that one of the channel arms 15 isattached to a folding member 35 as well as to the smaller member 12 ofthe first member. Folding member 35 is mounted to another reinforcingelement. The folding member 35 is attached to the channel arm 15 throughlinking means 20, with spring means 25 and loading means 30. The foldingmember 35 has a bend in it so that its reinforcing element will lie nextto the one on the channel arm 15 that is mounted to the same smallermember of the first member 10 when the apparatus is folded. Once thechannel arms 15 have been fully opened, the folding arm 35 is opened byrotating it until the fourth reinforcing element is positionedapproximately midway between the two adjacent ones. There is a rear armstop block 40 on the folding arm which aligns with the smaller member ofthe first member so that the reinforcing element mounted to the foldingmember is properly aligned with the other reinforcing members in theopen position. The reinforcing elements roughly resemble the corners ofa square when viewed from above.

[0047] The Three Discrete Element Snapping Structure

[0048] As with the folding structures, the reinforcing elements are bentas described in FIG. 3. FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of a reinforcingapparatus whereby a spacing member is comprised of a retaining member55, with fittings 60, which are preferably female fittings, onto whichcorresponding fittings 65, which are preferably male fittings, areinterlocked. Retaining member 55 may have any closed geometric shape, solong as the shape chosen minimally impedes the flow of concrete.Fittings 65 are mounted to reinforcing elements 5 prior to assembly andinterlock onto retaining member 55 through fittings 60. FIG. 8B presentsthe side view corresponding to the top view shown in FIG. 8A.

[0049]FIGS. 9A and 9B show a reinforcing structure in its disassembledform, prior to interlocking of the fittings 60 and correspondingfittings 65 on the retaining member and the reinforcing elementsrespectively. This diagram clearly shows the corresponding fittings 65as being mounted to discrete reinforcing element 5 prior to interlockingonto retaining member 55.

[0050]FIGS. 10A and 10B show an exploded view of the reinforcingapparatus. Reinforcing element 5 is mounted to fitting 65, the fittingthat interlocks with fitting 60. Fitting 60 is mounted to retainingmember 55 within guide 70, so as to prevent free rotation of fitting 60on retaining member 55. Preferably, when fitting 65 is being interlockedwith fitting 60, fitting 60 will remain immobilized against guide 70 sothat fitting 60 will remain in the proper orientation for interlocking.In this example a nut and bolt, a roll pin or a spring-actuated detentcan be used as a linking means to lock the fittings together. Theretaining member should be large enough to accommodate the number offittings required for the number of reinforcing elements to be used forthe particular application, taking account of the cross sectional areaof the structure to be reinforced.

[0051]FIG. 11A shows a top view of the spacing mechanism, while FIG. 11Bshows a side view of the spacing mechanism. Retaining member 55 hasmounted to it fitting 60 and guide 70. The three are joined by fixture75, which in a preferred embodiment might comprise a rivet or a nut andscrew. Guide 70 immobilizes fitting 60 from freely rotating on retainingmember 55 about fixture 75. More fittings 60 and guides 70 can bemounted to retaining member 55 as more reinforcing elements are requiredfor an application.

[0052]FIG. 12A shows a side view of fittings 65 mounted to reinforcingelement 5, while FIG. 12B shows fitting 65 mounted to reinforcingelement 5 from the top view. Element 80 represents the means by whichfitting 60 and fitting 65 interlock, and in a preferred embodiment wouldcomprise a spring loaded detent, a roll pin, or a nut and bolt assembly.

[0053] Four Reinforcing Elements and the Clipping Structure

[0054]FIG. 13A shows an assembled reinforcing structure comprising fourreinforcing elements linked by clipping spacer 100, when viewed from theside. FIG. 13B shows a top view of the same structure. As seen in FIG.14A from the side, and FIG. 14B from above, clipping spacer 100 iscomprised of lengths of material 125 joined at a central point, and ontowhich clips 120 have been joined at the ends. The clips 120 havesufficient elasticity to bend when inserting a reinforcing element andto return to their original shape once the insertion of the reinforcingelement is completed. Further, the clips 120 also have sufficientrigidity and solidity to withstand the strain of the pouring of thestructural materials.

[0055] Five Reinforcing Elements and the Clipping Structure

[0056] Shown in FIG. 15A is a side view of a reinforcing apparatus heldtogether by a clipping spacer 105 where the clips are mounted to aretaining member 130 rather than being mounted on a rigid length ofmaterial as in the case of clipping spacer 100. FIG. 15B shows the topview of the reinforcing apparatus shown in FIG. 15A. The retainingmember 130 may have any closed geometry desired for the particularapplication, so long as it minimally impedes the flow of the structuralmaterial upon pouring. The reinforcing elements 5 are clipped onto theclips that have been previously mounted on the retaining member. FIG.16A shows a side view of clipping spacer 105, showing the clips 120mounted on the retaining member 130. FIG. 16B shows a top view ofclipping spacer 105, with clips 120 mounted to retaining member 130.

[0057] The Permanently Mounted Spacer System

[0058] The spacers for this application are shaped like a closed andregular geometric figure, preferably a circle. The spacers wouldpreferably be made from steel and welded to the reinforcing elements,though other materials and means of attachment are possible. Theretaining members can be welded either inside or outside of thestructure, depending on the desired spacing of the reinforcing elements,the level of shear stress reinforcement sought, the number of spacers tobe used, and the size of the structure to be made.

We claim:
 1. A reinforcing apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality ofreinforcing elements each comprising a first segment which issubstantially straight, a second segment that is angled away from thefirst, and a third segment that is further angled away from the firstand second segments; (b) spacing members having means to hold the firstsegments of the reinforcing elements and to space them apart; and (c)interconnecting means to mount each of the spacing members to each ofthe reinforcing elements at corresponding locations along the firstsegments of the reinforcing elements to be used in the reinforcementapparatus.
 2. A reinforcing structure as claimed in claim 1, comprisingspacing members that are moveable as between a folded position and anopen position, said spacing members comprising folding means associatedwith each spacing member for folding said spacing members to the foldedposition, and for opening said spacing members to the open position. 3.A reinforcing structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of thespacing members additionally comprises first snapping means fixed to aretaining member, second snapping means fixed to the reinforcingelements, said first snapping means and said second snapping beingadapted to interlock to form a rigid attachment between the spacingmembers and the reinforcing elements.
 4. A reinforcing structure asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the spacing member comprises a clippingmeans for attaching and removing reinforcing elements, said clippingmeans comprising a retaining member onto which flexible clips arepermanently mounted and into which reinforcing elements are removablymounted.
 5. A reinforcing structure comprising: (a) a plurality ofreinforcing elements each comprising a first segment which is roughlystraight and a second segment that is angled away from the first; (b)spacing members having means to hold the first segments of thereinforcing elements and to space them apart; and, (c) interconnectingmeans to mount each of the spacing members to each of the reinforcingelements at corresponding locations along the first segments of thereinforcing elements to be used in the reinforcement apparatus.
 6. Areinforcing structure as claimed in claim 5, comprising spacing membersthat are moveable as between a folded position and an open position,said spacing members comprising folding means associated with eachspacing member for folding said spacing members to the folded position,and for opening said spacing members to the open position.
 7. Areinforcing structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the spacingmembers additionally comprises first snapping means fixed to a retainingmember, second snapping means fixed to the reinforcing elements, saidfirst snapping means and said second snapping being adapted to interlockto form a rigid attachment between the spacing members and thereinforcing elements.
 8. A reinforcing structure as claimed in claim 5,wherein the spacing member comprises a clipping means for attaching andremoving reinforcing elements, said clipping means comprising aretaining member onto which flexible clips are permanently mounted andinto which reinforcing elements are removably mounted.
 9. A reinforcingstructure comprising: (a) a plurality of reinforcing elements; and (b)spacing members having means to hold the first segments of thereinforcing elements and to space them apart.
 10. A reinforcingstructure as claimed in claim 9, comprising spacing members that aremoveable as between a folded position and an open position, said spacingmembers comprising folding means associated with each spacing member forfolding said spacing members to the folded position, and for openingsaid spacing members to the open position.
 11. A reinforcing structureas claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the spacing members additionallycomprises first snapping means fixed to a retaining member, secondsnapping means fixed to the reinforcing elements, said first snappingmeans and said second snapping being adapted to interlock to form arigid attachment between the spacing members and the reinforcingelements.
 12. A reinforcing structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein thespacing member comprises a clipping means for attaching and removingreinforcing elements, said clipping means comprising a retaining memberonto which flexible clips are permanently mounted and into whichreinforcing elements are removably mounted.
 13. A spacing membercomprising: a first member, two smaller members fixed to the firstmember, said smaller members being arranged about said first member,each smaller member having a folding means comprising: a channel arm, aspringed linking means joining each smaller member to one of the saidchannel arms said channel arms pivoting about the springed linking meansfrom a closed position adjacent to the first member on either side ofthe first member, to an open position whereby the channel arms alignwith each of the smaller members, whereby said springed linking meansforces each of the smaller members into the U-shaped channels of each ofthe channel arms, locking the channel arms upon the smaller members inthe open position.
 14. The spacing member as claimed in claim 13 with afolding means additionally comprising one or more folding members, eachof said folding members joined to at least one of the said smallermembers at that smaller member's springed linking means, said foldingmembers having a closed position adjacent the channel arms, and havingan open position adjacent to at least one of the channel arms.
 15. Aspacing member comprising a snapping means having a retaining member,interlocking fittings mounted to the retaining member, and correspondinginterlocking fittings mounted to reinforcing elements; said interlockingfittings and corresponding interlocking fittings detachably interlock,for attaching and removing reinforcing elements to the retaining member.16. A spacing member comprising clipping means for removeably attachingreinforcing elements, and a retaining member onto which the clippingmeans are permanently mounted.